MY HEALTHY MORNING ROUTINE STARTS WITH GOING TO BED EARLY (AND AT THE SAME TIME EVERY NIGHT)
I’m always sure to get in at least 7–9 hours of sleep — and if my body is able to rise without an alarm, I know I’ve hit the magic number. I’m always sure to not be in front of any digital devices or television screens for at least an hour before I hit the hay. (Which is why you won’t hear back from me on email/texts — but perhaps you will hear your phone buzz from me at 4;30am. Sorry about that.)

RISE EARLY
I greet the sun and feel like I’m part of nature.

MEDITATE / PRAY / VISUALIZE
Before actually getting out of bed, I go through some meditation practices while being still. I express my intentions, my goals, my gratitude. Also, since I’m testing for my next taekwondo belt very soon, I lay there with my eyes closed and visualize walking through the moves.

OIL PULL, BRUSH YOUR TEETH AND SCRAPE YOUR TONGUE
Rid myself of the bacteria, toxins, dead cells (and bad breath) that I accumulated over night!

WATER WITH LEMON
This is the perfect way to kickstart my day. It aids in digestion, reduces inflammation and gives my immunity a boost!

MY BELOVED COFFEE
This is loaded with antioxid……who am I kidding? I have my morning coffee because I’m obsessed. Secret Squirrel Cold Brew is my jam. If they made decaf, I’d drink it 24/7.

FOOD AND SUPPLEMENTS
I start my day with some yummy healthy food options. Sprouted or gluten free bread with organic jam or almond butter, eggs, a protein packed vegan smoothie. It depends on what I’m craving. Then once my stomach has food in it, I pop in my supplements to kick start my day! Krill oil, prenatal vitamins (no, I’m not pregnant nor about to be but I like the folic acid and I like my Rainbow Light!), Vitamin K2/D3, Antioxidants, curcumin/turmeric, shall I go on?)

BLOG / WRITE
Because it’s still around 5am, it’s quiet and it’s my moment of blissful solitude. The early morning is when I log onto wordpress and blog or work on other writings — or get back to people on email.

PUMP THE HEART
I do SOMETHING, ANYTHING — for however long I’m allowed until the kids get up. I take a walk up the hill outside, I jump on my rebounder, I practice taekwondo, I’ll practice yoga. I do anything to stretch and feel good and get the heart rate moving.

PREPARATION FOR KIDS
I lay out their clothes, prep their breakfast, their snacks for their commute to school and their snacks for their commute back home. I put everything in a cooler because I like to give them healthier options like hard boiled eggs, cucumber, carrots, edamame, protein shakes, string cheese, sliced apples — rather than giving them crackers and cookies (all the time).

THE KIDS GET UP
Then the kids get up and my morning is no longer my own. I surrender and it’s a race horse to get them out the door.

CAR RIDE
My kids and I talk — and we take turns with the car noise. I get podcasts, audiobooks and NPR for half the ride, then they play DJ with their music. Or we all do a sing along in the car. Actually, they do a sing along. They don’t let me sing or hum or mouth the words No joke. They watch my mouth in the rearview mirror to make sure I’m not participating.

WORK
After I drop the littles off at school, I head to my office — where again there is peace. I’m in my office before 8:00 am — and the time is my own. I love getting things off my to-do list — and my 7–9 hour of sleep, my cardio / stretching in the morning ensures I have a clear mind for it.

RINSE, REPEAT
++ And that’s my healthy morning routine? What’s yours?


Originally published at elainesir.com on December 31, 2016.